Ethchlorvynol is only found in individuals that have used or taken this drug. It is a sedative and hypnotic drug. It has been used to treat insomnia, but has been largely superseded and is only offered where an intolerance or allergy to other drugs exists. [Wikipedia]Although the exact mechanism of action is unknown, ethchlorvynol appears to depress the central nervous system in a manner similar to that of barbiturates. Barbiturates bind at a distinct binding sites associated with a Cl- ionopore at the GABAA receptor, increasing the duration of time for which the Cl- ionopore is open. The post-synaptic inhibitory effect of GABA in the thalamus is, therefore, prolonged.

This compound belongs to the class of chemical entities known as ynones. These are organic compounds containing the ynone functional group, an alpha,beta unsaturated ketone group with the general structure RC#C-C(=O)R' (R' not H).